The Apprentice returns to our screens on Thursday 6 October for the twelfth series.

Lord Sugar is once again joined by advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Claude Littner as they put 18 new candidates through their paces to secure his £250k investment in their business plan.

Airing on Thursdays for the first time, the series will follow Lord Sugar’s potential business partners as they set out to prove their business skills are ready for any challenge in the fight to the boardroom finale.

Lord Sugar says: "I need to see who’s got a good business brain, that’s all I’m interested in.

"The winner gets a £250,000 investment and it will change someone’s life forever. You are going to learn more about yourself throughout the course of this process, I promise you that.

"Sometimes, some people can’t stand the heat, and they complain and they moan. If you want to moan you can send me an email at lordsugar@idontcare.com.”

Take a look at the credentials of this year's contestants.

Alana Spencer

Age: 24

Occupation: Owner of a cake company

Lives: Ceredigion, Wales

She started her first business, a chocolate company, at the age of 17 before moving on to selling cakes. Alana believes she is an adaptable businesswoman who will not shy away from any task Lord Sugar sets. She says: "I am incredibly hard working, driven, and I'll stop at nothing to get what I want."

Aleksandra King

Age: 38

Occupation: Owner of a business consultancy

Lives: London

She describes herself as altruistic, extremely confident, and believes she has a gift for spotting a good business opportunity. She also believes she can sell to anyone. Aleksandra cites her mother as an inspiration as she is fluent in seven languages and has an ability to 'get people’. She says: "Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win."

Courtney Wood

Age: 29

Occupation: Owner of a novelty gifts company

Lives: Essex

He describes himself as fun with a positive attitude, and believes that his confidence is one of his strongest attributes. Courtney says he is not one to sit back, and plans to assert his authority in the process. He thinks his cut-throat tactics will help him reach the top. He says: "How would I describe myself in one sentence? I'll give you one word: awesome."

Dillon St. Paul

Age: 37

Occupation: Art director at a fashion magazine

Lives: Dublin

He believes he is talented, kind and very funny. Dillon intends to be ‘Machiavellian’ about tasks and says he will tell white lies if he needs to. He says: "Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business. Hence, the mascara comes in handy – so they can see those lashes."

Frances Bishop

Age: 25

Occupation: Owner of a children's clothing company

Lives: Doncaster

She describes herself as talkative with a feisty personality - which she believes is what has got her so far in the business world. Frances wants to impress Lord Sugar with her strong positive outlook. Frances says: "I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness'."

Grainne McCoy

Age: 31

Occupation: Owner of a make-up studio

Lives: Northern Ireland

She says her hunger and passion pushes her to succeed, and she puts maximum effort into everything she does. Grainne is confident that her self-belief and strong-mindedness will see her through the tasks. She says: "I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million."

JD O’Brien

Age: 37

Occupation: Owner of a beachwear company

Lives: London

He believes he can make the best of any situation whilst still being a ‘good bloke’. JD says he is going to put in the hard work and aims to not make any mistakes along the way. He says: "I won’t suffer fools. I will get upset by other candidates who don’t know their a**e from their elbow."

Jessica Cunningham

Age: 29

Occupation: Online fashion entrepreneur

Lives: Derbyshire

She is also the operations director for a PR and marketing agency. Jessica believes her positive helpful attitude will propel her through the tasks. But she also wants to get close to the other candidates - to find out how they operate, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and attempt to use them to her advantage. She says: "A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you're already winning."

Karthik Nagesan

Age: 33

Occupation: Owner of an IT consultancy

Lives: Northamptonshire

He says his friends would describe him as a born leader who takes charge and blazes a trail. Karthik cites his role model as Alexander the Great because he was "a master strategist and a brilliant tactician". He believes he is firm yet polite, making him the ultimate ‘human magnet’. He says: "If I wanted to be like everyone else, I’d have waxed my monobrow."

Michelle Niziol

Age: 35

Occupation: Owner of a property consultancy

Lives: Oxfordshire

Michelle is the founder and owner of three companies in mortgages, property and lettings. Michelle is a relentless workaholic - will this be enough to win Lord Sugar's investment? She says: "I have no fear of anybody else. I am confident in my own right."

Mukai Noiri

Age: 36

Occupation: Digital marketing manager, fashion

Lives: London

Mukai recently gave up his position as a senior communications manager to focus on his business idea. He believes his charm is one of his strongest qualities, though he is a straight talker, which he thinks some people might perceive as insensitivity. He says: "I feel sorry for Lord Sugar because previous applicants have been weak."

Natalie Hughes

Age: 30

Occupation: Owner of a hair and beauty salon

Lives: Glasgow

She considers her best quality to be her quick-thinking ability, but she is also a persuasive talker who insists that nothing embarrasses her. Natalie prides herself on her ability to buy and sell with ease, and believes she has the motivation to win. She says: "I started at a young age, I'm a hustler, I've got the hustler’s ambition."

Oliver Nohl-Oser

Age: 33

Occupation: Owner of a food distribution company

Lives: Wiltshire

He believes his greatest business skills lie in his marketing ability and his powers of persuasion. When it comes to winning, Oliver regards honesty as the best policy, but says he won’t befriend other candidates as he wants to focus on the prize. He says: "Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit."

Paul Sullivan

Age: 38

Occupation: Owner of a marketing agency

Location: Chigwell, Essex

He is a self-proclaimed charmer but doesn’t think he needs a ‘USP’ to win; consistency and sincerity will put him ahead. "I'll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I'm here to win... not to make up the numbers."

Rebecca Jeffery

Age: 31

Occupation: Owner of a design and marketing agency

Lives: Greater Manchester

She works as both the accountant and creative directer in her business. She prides herself on her infectious enthusiasm but admits calculations numbers are her weakness. She says: "I'm proof that you can get things done without whinging."

Samuel Boateng

Age: 27

Occupation: Sales manager for a major car brand

Lives: London

He regards his ability to develop new and innovative ideas as his strongest business skill. Samuel says he has excellent public speaking abilities and admits he will be ‘on the charm offensive’, but doesn't want to seem like an easy target. He says: "My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy."

Sofiane Khelfa

Age: 32

Occupation: Senior sales executive, technology

Lives: Essex

He says he has the ability to adapt, deliver and build lasting relations with people in business, but his friends would say that he can sometimes be overzealous. Sofiane believes that when he gets down to business, his skills and personality will shine through. He says: "The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt, and I’m the best at adapting. I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime."

Trishna Thakrar

Age: 28

Occupation: Recruitment agent

Lives: London

She used to play football semi-professionally, and says her friends would describe her as engaging and funny. Trishna believes her best business skill lies in her charm, but suspects her sensitivity could be her downfall as, if you cross her, she will not hold back. She says: "My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win."